Election 2024: Presidential debates enhance democracy – Etse Sikanku

A senior lecturer at the University of Media, Arts, and Communications (UniMaC) Prof. Etse Sikanku, has expressed his support for a presidential debate ahead of the December polls, stating that it enhances Ghana’s democracy.

This comes after Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP presidential candidate, criticized his counterpart, John Dramani Mahama, for declining to engage in a debate.

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has also emphasised the importance of debates, stating that they enable voters to assess presidential and vice-presidential candidates and make informed decisions.

However, there is apparent disagreement between the NPP and NDC regarding the necessity of debates, with some Ghanaians rejecting the call for the debate, citing them as unnecessary.

Prof. Sikanku, speaking on Channel One TV’s Citiuation Room, highlighted the benefits of the debate, explaining that it provides a platform for youth to learn about democracy and access critical information.

He stressed that debates increase political information and efficacy, and believes that debates offer an opportunity for young people to be introduced to democracy.

He said, “I believe that as we grow our democracy, we should seek to increase the political information, and efficacy in the debate system, there’s no such thing as too much information. I think that it will be a beautiful thing that a lot of young people will use this opportunity to learn.

“Tthis probably becomes one of the opportunities for them to get baptised or introduced to what democracy is for people in Junior High Schools and Senior High Schools. So I think it further enhances our democracy.”

Source  : CitiNewsroom